Now I am very aware that this is Thursday, but back on Monday, I was having a very Blue Monday. Couldn’t put my finger on exactly why, but I do have my suspicions, which I won’t go into. Just the blahs, down in the dumps!
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| In truth, Mondays and rain have never been a problem for me! |
The speaker was from a ministry called Mind Heart Soul out of Saddleback Church in California in conjunction with Silverado Memory Care. His ministry to us on Monday was very upbeat and positive, greatly encouraging, even some funny stories. Here are a few of my notes from the tips he shared. Now most of these I already know and do, but it never hurts to be reminded, does it? (And because he was a pretty fast talker, some of my notes below may not make sense, but they do to me and so I want to save them here. I suppose I could clean up the list a bit but hey, if Meghan Markle can have a messy bun, I can have a messy blog!)
- Ask God for direction of what I can do with what I have to help somebody else.
- It’s all about the way I handle my circumstances in light of eternity and not how it affects me, but rather how it can benefit others.
- Don’t be afraid. Think of more than yourself.
- My time is not wasted. It’s being used. God uses the ugliness we are in. We are here to help others be connected to God.
- There is a reason my DH is going through this.
- God is changing me with this. (This was something I actually discovered as I watched DH go through this with his mom many years ago. As a friend of mine wondered why God allowed this to happen, it was my belief that God was working in DH as he showed great compassion and love to his mother. It was having a great effect not only on him, but his children (and me) were seeing the example of him as he cared for her.)
- Dementia responds to joy ... happiness ... smiling. Not negative emotions like anger and depression or sadness.
- Find a place to use your gifts.
- You can’t live life without a purpose.
- There is hope.
- Focus on how to survive and be there for them. Get the stress off. All we have to do is get through the day.
Pray.
God will make the changes happen.
Walk by faith. Not by sight. Not in fear. Not in doubts.
This is to help me change.
I was having a blue Monday, but I felt so much better and uplifted in my spirit as I came home. God will make what I do work out ... As we go through these things, we need to encourage others ...We all need each other … Give grace ... Others think and respond differently than we do … Stop criticizing ...Stick to my convictions.
God isn’t surprised.
It’s part of our story and we have to trust.
He will be there.
Use the journey for others.
He will be there.
Use the journey for others.
I believe Elizabeth Elliott wrote the following for mothers,
but I think it can apply here for me.
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| Timewarpwife.com |
5 comments:
This was very good, Nonnie. Love the quote by E.E. at the end. I found that to be so true when I was in the midst of taking care of my mother in law. It was very challenging even on the best days, but when I looked at it in this way, as described by E.E., I found my tasks to be much more pleasant, and my MIL responded so much better. The part about being cheerful also is so true. Laughter helps the most difficult moments get better. Praying for you as you walk this journey. You are never alone, even when you may feel like you are. God is there with you, and He will see you through all the way. (((hugs))).
Beautifully written. It made me recall a conversation I had years ago with a co-worker who was caring for her mother who had dementia. I expressed sympathy and was sorry for what she was going through and she just looked at me and said that it was such a huge privilege for her to be able to be there for her mother during this difficult time. I will never forget her using the term privilege. It changed me. I understand your notes. God is so good. Keeping you and your DH in my prayers!!
I loved your notes. I wish I could copy a couple of things. I knew your husband has heart issues and surgery. Does he have dementia too - I did not know that. You should like you are carrying a heavy load.
Oh how I love that prayer. Thank you so much for sharing it here! You have helped me today. ♥
This was an important post for me. I have been battling the blues this week because of a friend who is trying so hard to recover from a brain injury. I have been praying for him, but not for myself. After all, I'm fine. I don't want to bother God with my fragility and moodiness in light of people who are *really* suffering.
But you wrote, "God isn't surprised." And it's true! He already knows I'm in pain, whether I pray on it or not. So there's no reason not to turn to Him, is there?
Thank you for this.
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